Page 56 - Training for Librarianship Library Work As a Career

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TRAINING FOR LIBRARIANSHIP

public library of competent direction in the
choice and use of literature.
The influence of good books cannot be
overestimated. "A good book is the
precious hfe-blood of a master spirit, em-
balmed and treasured up on purpose to a life
beyond life," said Milton, and Carlyle
pointed out truly enough that "All that
mankind has done, thought, gained or been,
—it is lying as in magic preservation in the
pages of books." Yet everyone familiar
with books knows with Emerson that " Books
are the best of things well used; abused,
among the worst," and with Thoreau:
" Books that are books are all that you
want, and there are but half a dozen in
any thousand."
A leaflet issued by the Davenport (Iowa)
"
Pubhc Library entitled, I Am the Public
Library," thus summarizes what the public
library is and stands for

" I am the storehouse of knowledge in this
city.
" I am opportunity.
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